Music instrument retailer Make’n Music and Fender team up to release the limited run American Standard Offset Telecaster.
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This guitar combines the features of two popular Fender guitars, the Telecaster being the core design and pickup configuration, while taking inspiration from the Jazzmaster’s offset body shape. The result is a unique and still familiar variation of the Telecaster.
Described by the retailer as the “8th Wonder of Fender’s Magnificent 7”, whatever that means, the initial run of this guitar will only be limited to 25 pieces, all of which will be exclusive to them.
While the idea of combining the Telecaster with the Jazzmaster is not necessarily a new idea, this is an interesting attempt at making this design more accessible. You can have a Tele-Master hybrid personalized via Fender Custom Shop, but that will set you back by a lot, so having one from a production line is the more practical way to go. But since its business, Fender needs to test the water first, so to speak, to see if there is indeed a good demand for this particular guitar design, before taking the plunge and mass producing them.
The guitar has a swamp ash body cared into the Jazzmaster offset shape, while still retaining the pickup configuration and aesthetics of a conventional Telecaster. It is currently only available in Butterscotch blonde finish that allows the natural grains of the body to shine through.
The 1-piece maple neck is carved into a modern “C” profile that’s easier on the hands, while retaining standard Fender specifications that include 25.5″ scale length, 9.5″ fingerboard radius and 1.685” nut width. It also has 22 medium jumbo frets that will make it play and feel like a conventional modern Tele, with the main difference being the cool looking and distinct body shape.
Giving this guitar its tone is a Custom Shop Twisted Tele single coil pickup in the neck position and a vintage-style Custom Shop Telecaster single-coil pickup on the bridge position. The press release describes the sound as being clear and bell like. The pickups are wired to a traditional 3-way pickup selector switch, with master volume Control and “no-load” tone control
Another interesting feature of this guitar is its string through body bridge with three brass saddles that can be adjusted for intonation on all six strings. This allows for modern precision intonation, while still being grounded to the original bridge design of the past.
Make’n Music owner Teddy Gordon concludes, “Ever since the first official Fender Telemaster-style electric guitar was ordered by Make’n Music back in 2005 and delivered in 2008, this unique Jazzmaster/Telecaster Hybrid design became an instant classic and coveted by offset lovers everywhere. Originally conceived in a dream and brought to reality by the Fender Custom Shop, this configuration is now officially referred to as the Offset Telecaster. Copied by many but never before seen in the official Fender production lineup, it’s an innovative concept and a truly original instrument. It has long been our hope to bring this traditionally “Custom Shop only” offering to USA production for a more player-friendly price point. We couldn’t be happier with how they turned out.”
As mentioned, only 25 pieces of this instrument will be available. You can pre-order now for just $1,499.99, Fender expects it to start shipping in late July. Visit Make’n Music for further details.
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Why do they persist with those silly 3 bridge saddles.? “Vintage” does not necessarlly mean good tone, unless you distill the elements that really vare conducive to improving tone and to making it easier to set the intonation accurately.